Precast picket fence



Feb. 26, 1957 Fig. 3

M. W. FISHER ETAL PRECAST PICKET FENCE Filed Oct. 26, 1955 Mil/on W. Fisher Edward 6. F isher IN V EN TORS United States Patent PRECAST PICKET FENCE Milton W. Fisher and Edward G. Fisher, Miami, Fla., assignors to Modern Precasting Co., Hialeah, Fla., a corporation of Florida Application October 26, 1953, Serial No. 388,174

1 Claim. (Cl. 256-49) This invention relates to precast fence constructions.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel expansion joint for use in constructing a picket fence of precast concrete elements so that deterioration of the component elements of the precast fence will be substantially reduced if not eliminated and unsightly cracks and the like will be avoided. I

The construction of this invention features an expansion joint between rails and fence posts which utilizes a wrapping of a felt paper or pliant material about the end of the fence post. Grout is positioned between the wrapping and the surfaces of the fence post defining the recess which has received the end of the rail so that the rail may slide relative to the wrapping without causing any unsightly cracks in the grout.

Incorporated in this invention is a novel method of forming the expansion joint which includes the step of cutting off the wrapping flush with the fence post so as to eliminate any unsightly excess wrapping. It is noted that the excess Wrapping prevents the grout from marring the finished surface of the side rails thereby assuring a more attractive fence,

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an expansion joint for a precast picket fence that is strong and durable, simple and inexpensive to utilize in erecting a picket fence, and which does not require skilled labor to accomplish.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are obtained by this precast fence construction, a preferred embodiment of the expansion joint being shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the completed structure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as taken along the plane-of line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3-3 in Figure 2 and illustrating the manner in which the fence rail is seated in the recess in the fence post before the grout is applied; and

2,783,029 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating on a reduced scale the component elements utilized in forming the expansion joint.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a fence post provided with a recess 12 therein of substantially square shape adapted to receive the square end of a fence rail 14. Heretobefore in the art the fence rails 14 have been directly attached to the fence post 12 and due to expansion and contraction the grouting would tend to crack and chip away from the joint thereby both weakening the structure and providing an unsightly appearance which marred the attractiveness of the fence. Incorporated in the concept of the present invention is the use of a wrapping 16 formed from a sheet of pliant material such as felt paper or plastic material. This sheet of felt paper 16 is wrapped around the end of the fence rail 14 with portions thereof protruding beyond the recess 12 so as to form a shield for the fence rail 14 when the grout 18 is applied between the wrapping 16 and the inner peripheral wall 20 forming the surface of the fence post 10 defining the recess 12. It is noted that the wrapping 16 may be sealed as desired as at 22 about the end of the fence rail 14 before insertion into the recess 12. After the grout 18 has set protruding portions of the wrapping 16 are cut away thereby assur ing against the marring of the external surface of the fence rail 14 outside of the recess 12.

Since from the foregoing the construction and advantages of this method of constructing expansion joint for a precast fence and of the expansion joint itself are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be readily resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An expansion joint used in precast fence construction comprising a fence post having a recess therein, a fence rail having an end received in said recess, said end having a wrapping of pliant material thereabout, and grout positioned between said wrapping and portions of said fence post defining said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 183,613 Wickersham Oct. 24, 1876 948,834 Wagler Feb. 8, 1910 7 1,278,413 Amberg Sept. 10, 1918 1,653,308 Paltani Dec. 20, 1927 1,743,492 Sipe Jan. 14, 1930 2,050,290 Earley et a1 ..;'Aug. 11, 1936 

